Hinata Hyūga completely gave up on thinking.
Her head felt light and fuzzy, her entire being wrapped in an unprecedented sense of warmth and security.
She didn't know how much time passed before she finally came back to her senses.
Like a startled rabbit, Hinata hurriedly took two steps back. After steadying herself, she lowered her head, her face burning red—so red it looked as if steam were about to rise from it.
"So cute."
Kitazawa chuckled softly.
"Wait here for a moment."
He turned and walked north, stopping not long after.
Lying before him was the scarf Toranosuke had discarded.
The white scarf was half-buried under fallen leaves, coated in dust, its original cleanliness long gone.
Kitazawa frowned slightly.
If it were only dirty, that would be fine—but there were several tears in the fabric.
He bent down and picked it up.
[Current Task: Help your deskmate Hyūga Hinata retrieve her scarf.]
[Task Reward: Leaf Whirlwind.]
[Task completed. Reward granted.]
Leaf Whirlwind—a taijutsu developed by Might Guy.
Kitazawa's thoughts stirred.
Just earlier, he'd been worrying about where to learn a new C-rank technique. Now, he had an idea.
Might Guy.
Taijutsu also counted as ninjutsu—and, theoretically, didn't require a chakra nature.
He'd considered learning genjutsu from Kurenai, but genjutsu required strong Yin Release. Without it, progress would be painfully slow.
And his task demanded that he master a C-rank technique faster than Sasuke mastered the Great Fireball.
Genjutsu wasn't suitable—but taijutsu was perfect.
Especially now that he already had Leaf Whirlwind.
His next goal was clear: learn Leaf Great Whirlwind, the upgraded version of Leaf Whirlwind, from Might Guy.
The difference between the two was simple—one extra spinning motion.
"Hinata."
Kitazawa glanced at the scarf and said,
"This scarf can't be used anymore. I'll buy you a new one."
"Eh?"
Hinata froze, then shook her head quickly.
"N-no need!"
"Consider it an apology for making a decision on your behalf."
Kitazawa smiled.
"An apology for what?"
Hinata asked, confused.
"I agreed to Toranosuke's request for a one-on-one match with you in a month."
Kitazawa explained calmly.
"M-me? Fight him?"
Hinata's voice trembled.
"I… I can't…"
"You haven't even fought yet—why say you can't?"
Kitazawa squatted down and met her gaze.
"Hinata, you're stronger than him. You just don't know how to resist."
Hinata stared at him blankly.
At that moment, four lines of text appeared before Kitazawa's eyes.
[Unity is strength. As class representative, you must protect classmates bullied by other classes.]
[Current Task: Help your deskmate Hyūga Hinata defeat Toranosuke.]
[Task Reward: Water Release · Water乱波 (Water Turbulence Wave).]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa narrowed his eyes slightly.
This system's rewards were truly all over the place—every kind of technique imaginable.
But thinking about it carefully, it made sense.
The system was called the Strongest Hokage Cultivation System.
To surpass all previous Hokage, one would naturally need to master all techniques—even kekkei genkai.
"It's fine. We still have a month."
Kitazawa put away the scarf and smiled.
"I'll personally train you."
Hinata nodded, her face still flushed.
"I'll walk you home."
Kitazawa took her small hand and led her out of the grove.
"G-goodbye, Teacher Kitazawa."
Hinata stood at the gate, watching him leave.
Only after he disappeared from sight did she reluctantly turn and walk into the compound.
—
After buying a similar white scarf in the commercial district, Kitazawa returned home.
He opened the front door and began business for the day.
"Teuchi, could you send me a bowl of chashu ramen?"
Kitazawa called out toward Ichiraku Ramen nearby.
"Got it!"
A response came almost immediately.
Kitazawa sat behind the counter, propping his chin on his hands.
He was thinking about how to approach Might Guy.
But after a few seconds, he decided there was no need to overthink it.
With Guy's personality, you didn't need a reason—just the right keyword.
For example… youth.
"I'm coming in, Big Brother Kitazawa."
A pleasant voice sounded.
A girl in a white chef's outfit walked in—it was Ayame, Teuchi's daughter.
"Thanks."
Kitazawa accepted the chashu ramen.
"You're welcome."
Ayame smiled brightly—and took an extra glance at him before leaving.
Like Ino, she was a certified looks enthusiast in the original story.
After finishing dinner, Kitazawa returned the bowl and paid.
When he came back, he noticed someone new in the shop.
Kurenai Yūhi leaned against the counter, her long legs straight, her shapely hips pressed lightly against it.
Her arms were crossed over her chest, a faint smile on her beautiful face.
Bathed in the warm, dim sunlight, she looked like a tranquil painting.
"Red, looking to buy something? I'll give you a discount."
Kitazawa smiled as he walked over.
"Then I'll take a soda."
Kurenai reached out and picked up a bottle.
"One soda can't compare to the breakfast you brought me. It's in the house."
Kitazawa said casually.
"Thank you."
Kurenai took a sip, then said,
"I just came back from the Kurama clan."
"Did the methods I gave you help?"
Kitazawa asked with interest.
"A little."
Kurenai nodded, then sighed.
"But the real problem isn't me—it's Yakumo."
"Her genjutsu talent isn't good enough?"
Kitazawa asked knowingly.
"Not that it isn't good—it's too good."
Kurenai explained.
"Her body can't handle her genjutsu talent."
"I see."
Kitazawa thought for a moment.
"Then… Can she learn taijutsu?"
"Hard."
Kurenai shook her head.
"She's naturally frail. Taijutsu isn't suitable for her."
"That is troublesome."
Kitazawa frowned slightly.
In the original story, the solution was to eliminate the Yin Release monster Ido inside Yakumo.
But at this point, Ido hadn't fully formed yet.
"Blocking isn't as good as guiding."
Kitazawa volunteered.
"I can try teaching her taijutsu."
In the original timeline, Ido was born precisely because Yakumo's parents and Kurenai prevented her from becoming a ninja.
"That's too much trouble. No need."
Kurenai rejected the idea.
"And I can teach her taijutsu myself."
"It's no trouble. We're friends, after all."
Kitazawa smiled.
"Besides, under normal circumstances, she would've been my student anyway."
"I've been teaching for five years. I know how to adjust training to suit her condition."
"You still have work. Where would you find the time to teach her?"
Kurenai asked, surprised.
"That's easy."
Kitazawa said calmly.
"Let her attend classes at the Ninja Academy."
"Attend classes?"
Kurenai hesitated.
"Her parents won't agree, and her body can't handle a full day."
"She doesn't need to attend all day."
Kitazawa thought it over.
"I can arrange for her to attend only practical training classes."
Kurenai fell silent.
Earlier that day, she'd followed Kitazawa's advice and spoken to Yakumo as an equal, as a friend.
Through that conversation, she'd learned of Yakumo's deep desire to become a ninja.
Perhaps letting her attend school wasn't a mistake after all.
"Pick a day when you're free."
Kurenai finally said.
"Come with me to the Kurama clan."
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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